My husband and I occasionally dine out at Bella Cucina. A wonderful place in our quaint little town. The atmosphere is romantic, the chef is award winning and the location sits directly off of our town's fountain park. It's perfect! Lunch at Bella is a treat and dinner there is magnificant experience. An experience saved mostly for special occasions. But sometimes, just sometimes, a spontaneous and somewhat desperate date night out from our toddler and infant!
One afternoon we visited there, after I had just had baby number two so I was entitled to splurge. I ordered the pasta with a basil cream sauce, asparagus and petite diced tomatoes. It was warm and gooey and topped with Feta cheese. It was outrageous! We gobbled it up like it was our last meal. As we took our last bites, my husband looked at me and said "I wish we could eat that all over again." Even though it wasn't even his meal to begin with! I excitedly replied to him that he could... because I could easily make it! Needless to say he is very grateful for my love to cook and need to experiment with new dishes. If you can make a white sauce you can make this dish... enjoy!
Olive Oil
1/2 sweet onion
1 bunch of asparagus- chopped (other options: zuchini, peas, or spinach)
1 can petite diced tomatoes
3 TBSP butter
3 TBSP flour
2 Cups milk
Parmesan cheese
Garlic powder.
Basil Pesto- homemade or jarred.
Bring water to boil and cook pasta as directed.
Saute onion in olive oil over low-medium heat until they are soft and clear. Add chopped asparagus and allow those to saute until tender. Maybe 5 minutes. Add diced tomatoes. Turn off heat. Tomatoes will warm through as they sit.
The Pesto cream Sauce:
In a pot melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk. Allow to cook for a minute or so. Add the milk and whisk until it all begins to bubble. Add desired salt,pepper,garlic and parmesan cheese. Consitency should thicken up as you whisk and it bubbles. When it is thickened take off heat. Stir in 1 cup or so of your pesto. Taste. If it needs more of something. Add more of something. It's that simple!
Combine the pasta with the vegetables then the sauce. Sprinkle with feta cheese, dried basil, or both! And eat. Eat it till your heart's content!
I thought I had a picture but can't seem to find one. When I make it again, because I make it often, I will add it.
ReplyDeleteKelly I am soo glad you have a blog. Its a great outlet and fantastic way to catgorize your thinking. Dont be afraid to Label your stuff.. Youll be thankfull later when you want to look it back up, or even when other people want to look it back up. Example: Dinner, Pasta
ReplyDeleteOh and the picture you put of yourself on here is soo cute!!